Julius Leon Jackson was born March 17, 1947, and passed away Feb. 22, 2017.

Julius Leon Jackson was the 13th child born to the late Webster Jackson and Rachel Harvey Jackson. He was affectionately known to family and friends as “J.L.” and colleagues/friends referred to him as “Jack.”

Julius was baptized at Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a member and actively participated in the choir, Sunday School, and Baptist Training Union. He was under watchcare with Wesley Ray United Methodist Church, after marriage to his wife.

Julius attended J. J. Gullege High School, in Tylertown, Miss., and relocated to Louisiana, where he attended Wesley Ray High School and graduated in 1966. While in high school, he was a member of the basketball team.

After high school, Julius enlisted and served his country in the U.S. Air Force. Julius served four year in Vietnam, Korea, and the United States. While in the Air Force, he attended Wasburn University, in Topeka, Kan., where studied electrical instrumentation and mathematics.

Julius married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Martin Jackson, and this union was blessed with three children and seven grandchildren.

Julius was an advocate of human condition, disadvantaged, equal opportunity, and mentoring. He organized a girls’ softball team, which he named the Wesley Ray Eaglettes. The team played teams in the surrounding communities of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Julius (and his wife) used personal funds to transport and feed the youth to each event. As a result of these services, Julius received a community athletic man of the year award. He donated professional services to disadvantaged, elderly citizens, and non-profit public organizations. Julius served as a member of the organization, Club Tomorrow.

Julius was employed with Gaylord Container Corporation (Crown Zellerbach) as an electrician. Julius independently established and operated his company, Jackson’s Electric, as an electrical engineering instrumentationist. He later relocated to New York and was employed with IBEW of New York. Julius transferred to Freeport McMoran, where he retired. He served as a team coach with Service Zone Computer Company.

Julius leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Shirley Martin Jackson; two daughters, Belinda (Jimmie) Shrophsire, Cashanda (Brian) Nichols; and one son, Julius L. Jackson II; seven grandchildren, Cardez Jackson, Jaden Foster, Tiara Jackson, Jalisia Jackson, Aryanna Nichols, Bryanna Nichols, and Juliana Jackson.

He touched the lives and upbringing of Kyran Martin, Duncan Moore-Howard, and Claretta Peters; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and great, great-great nieces and nephews; and godchildren; Goldia Deloach, Jonothan Spikes, LaRonda Robinson, Kyran Martin, and Duncan Moore Howard; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Julius Jackson was preceded in death by his parents, seven sisters and four brothers.

The wake service was on Friday, March 3, from 5 p.m. to 7 pm, at Cook-Richmond Funeral Home. The funeral services will be on Saturday, March 4, at Wesley Ray United Methodist Church. The visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., and the funeral service is at 11 a.m.